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Council sets June hire for highway shop foreman, approves CDL pay increases; resident objects to Brownsburg road expansion
Summary
The Hendricks County Council voted March 17 to authorize hiring a highway shop foreman in June and approved two CDL‑related pay increases; a Brownsburg resident raised safety and septic concerns about the proposed Phase 2 expansion of 1000 North.
The Hendricks County Council voted March 17 to direct the Highway Department to hire a shop foreman by June and approved two pay increases for employees who recently obtained commercial driver’s licenses.
County Engineer John Ayers asked the council to create the shop foreman position to help track, store and order parts and other inventory ahead of the department’s move into a new facility. Nancy Marsh moved to proceed with hiring before the move and Eric Wathen seconded. Councilman Larry Hesson successfully amended the motion to set June as the hiring timeframe; the amended motion passed 5‑2, with President Larry Scott and Councilman David Wyeth recorded as opposed.
The council separately approved two hourly increases for employees who obtained CDLs. Line 1176.18526.002.0201 would increase from $22.53 to $24.72 and line 1176.18523.002.0201 would increase from $22.66 to $24.72. Dave Cox moved to approve the payroll requests, Nancy Marsh seconded, and the motion passed unanimously, 7‑0. Legal counsel Rhonda Cook said an amendment to the Salary Ordinance would be drafted for presentation at the next meeting to formalize the changes; one of the raises was requested to be backdated to the start of the year because the CDL was obtained in 2025.
During public comment, resident Maria Steadham objected to the proposed Phase 2 expansion of 1000 North in Brownsburg, citing safety, increased traffic noise, loss of privacy, potential septic‑system risk and a bottleneck at the Marion County line. Ayers addressed her concerns and committed to follow up with additional information; Commissioner Dennis Dawes gave Steadham his contact information for further discussion.
Council next steps: the formal Salary Ordinance amendment will be prepared for the next meeting and the highway department will proceed with the hiring timeline adopted by the council.
